NFL Notes: Akers expected to be cut; franchise tag updates

Monday was a busy day in the NFL as more teams decided whether to use their franchise tag or let players reach free agency. Here’s a quick roundup:

Report: 49ers to release AkersFormer Eagles kicker David Akers is expected to be released by the San Francisco 49ers following a miserable season, according to Adam Caplan of TheSidelineView.com.

Akers missed 13 field goals last season and one more in the playoffs. He was a woeful 9-for-19 from 40-plus yards.

The Eagles parted ways with Akers in 2010 after 11 seasons. He signed with the 49ers and in his first year out west set the NFL’s single-season record for field goals made, going 44-for-52 with seven makes from 50-plus.

Cowboys tag SpencerDallas has used its franchise tag on defensive end Anthony Spencer, which, as ProFootballTalk points out, could result in an intriguing debate between Spencer and the Cowboys.

Spencer was tagged last offseason and made $8.8 million playing outside linebacker in the Cowboys’ 3-4 defense. But Rob Ryan was fired and Dallas plans to move to a 4-3, meaning Spencer will shift to defensive end. The tag prices are different for those positions, and Spencer would make an additional $615,000 if he’s labeled a DE rather than an OLB.

Either way, PFT points out that Spencer’s agent is seeking a long-term deal that would nullify the quarrel over positional eligibility.

No tag for Greg Jennings, Jared CookPackers wide receiver Greg Jennings was not franchised (per FOX Sports), nor was Titans tight end Jared Cook, who was reportedly trying to be considered a wide receiver because of how he lined up. The price difference for a wide receiver tag ($10.537 million) vs. a tight end tag (under $6.1 million) is vast.

But both will likely test free agency.

Jennings has an impressive resume, with three seasons of 1,100 or more receiving yards and 50 receiving TDs since 2007. But the 29-year-old played only eight games last season because of a groin injury, and missed three games in 2011.

Among tight ends, Cook is one of the league’s fastest, top pass-catching threats. The 6-foot-5, 248-pounder has 93 receptions for 1,282 yards and seven touchdowns the last two seasons.

Cook ran a 4.50 40-yard dash at the 2009 NFL Combine. It is the fourth-fastest 40 ever run by a tight end, behind only Vernon Davis (4.38 in 2006), Dorin Dickerson (4.40 in 2010) and James Hanna (4.49 in 2012).